ASU could be headed for NCAA record in violations

Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have been hit with a few minor infractions, and most of the Pac-10 likes to accuse USC of getting away with running a dirty program, but neither comes close to what Arizona State has been up to since the early 1950s.

The allegations against Arizona State focus on former baseball coach Pat Murphy. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

According to a story in The Arizona Republic, the NCAA is investigation the ASU athletic department for at least one major violation involving the baseball team. Since the school is already on NCAA probation, a violation could lead to sanctions for the entire athletic department. The story says the school is being investigated for a least nine infractions, including the dreaded “lack of institutional control.”

If the major violation is found to have happened, ASU will have nine such violations – the most in the NCAA since 1953, the Republic story said. The school is currently tied with Southern Methodist, which received a death penalty from the NCAA in 1987 for its out-of-control football program.

The Republic story said the investigation is related to former baseball coach Pat Murphy, who resigned the day after the school received a letter from the NCAA informing it of the investigation. Murphy was a three-time reigning Pac-10 coach of the year.